The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-01-20
A SMART YOUNG WOMAN.

ness, one way and another, nearly
thirty years, and I've had my ups and
downs.
Made any money?
Well, sir, it's i business, which either
makes or loses biz. I've made two or
three fortunes, and lost about as much
as | made. Eve got 4 moderate pro-
vision for the time when | get too old TO
travel about in this way. | reckon that s
as much as most OF lem come out with,
and ought to be pretty well satisfied.
But / tell you. time has been when |
did not know where the next meal
Would come from, and half dozen or
a dozen players TO be provided for as
well us myself. ! remember one of the
bluest times / ever struck was at Alburv
-ha! ha! | can laugh now TO think of
that girls sharpness, but it was no mat
ter for laughing at that time.
was starring it through the country
with a specially troupe-musical acts,
''phunny phellows," ventriloquists,
tricksters. and minstrels, with a small
comedy thrown in.
Nam selle Susine Allonette was with
us (she was Sue Allen off the stage) as
leading lady, and also in several daring
tight-rope and trapeze acts.
Sue was sharp little midget and
used to give US some spice off her tongue
when she got riled Il bit
But she helped me out of a bad fix
grandly. the time | speak of, and | felt
like giving her little liberty.
We had been having a fortnight of
bad weather before we struck the town
IaiIuded to, and of course had PLAYED
10 very poor houses.
/ hadn't been able to pay my compa-
ny's salaries for three weeks, hadn't a
shilling to send home TO my wife, and
things looked pretty bad. tell you.
hen we got 10 the town, had hard
ly money enough TO pay the boys who
distributed my bills, and not penny
for the newspapers.
had about made up my mind to sell
my watch (the only thing of value |
had icit, pay OF the men and girls as
far as | could, and disband the COM
pauy.
We came on at night from the last
town, and | resolved to see what the
weather was in the morning before /
decided what 10 do.
When l cot up | saw the streets
covered with mud and a sharp, cold
wind blowing.
1t would be an awful night and we
would get no house at all.
My heart sunk ike lead, and | wished
| hadn't sent the bills out.
We should have to play that night,
but it would be the last time.
l thought would speak to my lead
ing lady so | went to Sue Aliens room
and raped.
She opened the door, and l found her
mending the suit she wore in her
trapeze acts-we were too poor to have
new costumes just then.
Sue" said l, i've come to bring
bad news"
We'll what is it?" said she.
We've got to break up" | said, with
a sigh.
Now don't see that!" returned Sue,
fixing her sharp eyes on me. What is
the reasOn?"
why. we've made nothing for a
month, Sue. can't pay any of you,
and know you need your money"
We'll, this is a fair-sized town." says
Sue. calmly
Yes, but look what wretched wealth
er! We won't have half a house to-
night, and can't even put puff into
the papers TO coax people out. It's no
use. sac. we'll have to give up.'
Not if / know it!' says Sue, striking
an attitude. Cant you get up SEN
sation that will draw"
i've tried to think of something,
and | can't" / answered. There ism t
q dodge that can be gone through with
without money, and that ! have not
got"
well, I've been trying to think,
too. says Miss Sue, co0lly as before.
And think we will have a crowded
house tonight"
who's going to fill it?' | asked
Il am" returned Miss Sue, demurely.
| gave a low whistle of incredulity.
20. mean it, 7" said Sue.
There was an air about the girl which
struck ne.
Mr.. Lane" said she as l looked
silently at her, Il want my salary, and
| don't want this company to 90 down.
Ii YOU II let me do aS please, and ask
no questions. III I'LL that hall full to-
night and we'll ali get our money"
Then do as you please" / groaned.
''AnTthing to help Us, Just nowr'
You give me full liberty, and no
queStions?H asked Sue.
YES! Go aheadr'
"All right. I'm going out for walk
IN ten minutes. Make some of the men
walk in the direction | do. but order
them on no account to come near or in
terrupt me. VIII you?'
Yes, / will, Sue. Where are YOU
going?'
Never mind that Isn't there a rail
way bridge near here?"
Yes. We came past it."
ii thOught 50. WHAT time does the